Over 59 GW Thermal and 14 GW Hydro projects under construction in India: RK Singh

Power Minister R K Singh informed Parliament that a Thermal Power capacity of 59,810 MW and a Large Hydro capacity of 14,014 MW is currently under construction in India.

Power Minister R K Singh, at the ongoing monsoon session of the parliament, informed that a Thermal Power capacity of 59,810 MW and a Large Hydro capacity of 14,014 MW is currently under construction in India. He also gave an explanation on the causes of the delay in the implementation of these power projects.

Power Minister R K Singh in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha informed that approximately 59,810 MW thermal power generation capacity is currently under construction in the country that includes 23,730 MW to be developed by private players.

Whereas total capacity of 18,320 MW and 17,760 MW of thermal projects are being developed by the central sector and the state sector, respectively, it added.

While talking on the hydropower sector, the minister informed that the combined capacity of large hydro (above 25 MW) projects under construction in the country is around 14,014 MW.

Meanwhile, throwing light on the implementation delay of these projects, the minister pointed out the major reasons for the time and cost overrun of these projects.

The power minister stated that the major reason for time overrun for these projects can be attributed to the availability of materials and equipment, land issues, and inter-state matters. While the cost overrun resulted from an increase in interest rate, inflation as well as amendments in the scope of the project.

In regards to the funding of these power projects, the power minister stated that since power generation is a de-licensed activity, as per Electricity Act 2003. The investment is to be undertaken by the developers concerned who are engaged in setting up the power project.

Therefore, no fund has been sanctioned/allocated by the Central Government in this regard, except equity contribution from the Central Public Sector Units on a case-to-case basis for the development of such projects.